Louise Kapeikis

Taking New Students: Yes
About Louise: Louise has 37 years coaching experience and is certified both in the USA and Canada. She is a current Team USA International coach but has coached skaters from the grassroots level through the Junior World Championships, Senior International competitions and Professional Ice Show careers. Coach Louise is an expert in teaching skating technique, jumping, spinning and skating skills.

As a student, Coach Louise trained at competitive clubs both in Vancouver and Toronto. After competing she performed with Disney on Ice for 4 years. She went on to coach and direct a very successful skating program in Wenatchee, WA from 2000-2020. From 2020 to 2024 she was the CanSkate Coordinator at the highly competitive Connaught Skating Club in Richmond, BC.

At all levels, Coach Louise emphasizes the importance of developing positive life skills through the challenges of learning to figure skate. Her goal is to help each skater achieve their maximum potential on the ice and to see the continued development of a strong competitive skating program here in Bellingham, WA.

Krista Cohen

Taking New Students: Yes, on a limited basis
About Krista: Krista brings years of experience, a love for the sport, and a down-to-earth coaching style that connects easily with skaters and their families. She began skating at the age of 3 and went on to compete for 15 years before transitioning into coaching and choreography.

For the past 27 years, Krista has taught Learn to Skate classes, and for the last 16 years, she has worked with skaters one-on-one through private lessons. She is currently the Skating Director at the Bellingham Sportsplex, where she supports the development of both skaters and skating programs.

Choreography is Krista’s greatest strength-she has an exceptional ability to bring out each skater’s unique style through thoughtful and impactful programs. Before becoming a coach, Krista performed in professional ice shows including Hope with the Heart and Ice Capades, experiences that continue to inspire the creative and performance aspects of her coaching today. As a PSA and USFSA member and Registered Professional, Krista offers expert instruction in choreography, jumps, spins, skating skills, and competition readiness. She has helped skaters achieve personal milestones and has coached athletes who have gone on to become national medalists. Above all, Krista enjoys helping skaters set meaningful goals and work toward them with confidence and joy.

Paul Kapeikis

Taking New Students: No
About Paul: Dr. Paul Kapeikis brings more than 40 years of coaching experience to the ice,
working with skaters from beginning Learn-to-Skate levels through national and international
medalists. His coaching background includes freestyle, figures, skating skills, ice dance, figure
& hockey power skating, off-ice technique and spinner training, as well as precision figure
skate sharpening.
In addition to his coaching expertise, Coach Paul holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree with a
specialty in biomechanical rehabilitation, giving him a unique understanding of movement,
technique, and athletic performance.
As a technique specialist, he frequently works in collaboration with skaters’ primary coaches
as part of a team coaching approach.
Coach Paul is passionate about helping young people grow into stronger, more confident
adults through the challenges and rewards of competitive sports training — always with an
emphasis on making the process positive and fun.

Caleb Niva

Taking New Students: Yes, on a limited basis as scheduling permits
About Caleb: Caleb is an accomplished figure skating coach with over six years of experience, specializing in partnered and solo ice dance as well as skating skills. Throughout his career, Caleb’s skaters have earned podium placements at prestigious events, including Solo Dance Nationals, Pacific Coast Sectionals, National Showcase, Adult Nationals, and the ISU North American International Adult Competition. A 7-time U.S. National competitor and 7-time U.S. Pacific Coast Sectional Medalist, Caleb has also achieved 4 Gold Medals from the USFSA, providing him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help his students excel.

Caleb’s skating journey began at the Sportsplex in Bellingham before traveling to train under Olympic coaches Steve and Sharon Baker in Seattle. At 16, he moved to Chicago to work with ISU technical specialist Jamie Whyte, and in 2017, Caleb relocated to Detroit to train under Olympic coaches Angelika Krylova and Pasquale Camerlengo. His coaching philosophy centers around creating an enjoyable and fun environment for his skaters, fostering not just technical skills but a love for the sport. Caleb strives to give every skater the opportunity to discover their passion, whether it’s in competition or simply for the joy of skating.

Karlyn Huntgate

Taking New Students: Yes, on a limited basis
About Karlyn: With 13 years of experience as a competitive skater, Karlyn honed her skills both in Bellingham and Canada. As a member of Ice X-Treme at the Lower Mainland Synchronized Skating Club for 7 years, her experience in synchronized skating has given her a unique perspective on teamwork, precision, and performance.

Karlyn served as the Show Director for the Bellingham Figure Skating Club from 2013 to 2015, With a deep understanding of both solo and team skating, Karlyn focuses on fostering creativity, technique, and performance skills in her students. Her approach emphasizes building confidence and ensuring that skating is a fun and rewarding experience for everyone she works with.

Tina Mauler.

Taking New Students: Yes, on a limited basis
Contact: 360-510-4513 (cell/text)
About Tina: At the age of three, Tina’s father put her on the ice at a small frozen neighborhood pond, wearing little, old fashioned skates with “curly” blades. She lived in Austria, and back then, ice rinks were few and far between; covered ice arenas existed only in major cities. For training she had access to outdoor rinks from mid October to early April. Each summer, she travelled to one of the major cities for three weeks, to train in a covered arena; beyond that she did off ice and cross training.

Tina started competing at qualifying competitions at the age of twelve; within a few years she won the Salzburg State Championships twice, and later on placed second in Free Skate in the Austrian Junior Nationals.

For a number of years, Tina coached part-time in Austria and Germany; after that, in and around Vancouver, British Columbia; and then life brought her here to Bellingham in 1993! Tina was part of the group that founded our very own Bellingham Figure Skating Club, and got it sanctioned by USFSA. From 2000-2010, Coach Tina spearheaded a successful Synchonized Skating Team and those are some of her most cherished coaching memories. Thirty-five plus years, and hundreds of students later, Tina is thrilled to still be coaching here in Bellingham!

Liam Kapeikis

Taking New Students: Please talk to your primary coach with any requests for adding Liam
to your current coaching team.

About Liam: Liam Kapeikis is a senior men’s international figure skater representing the USA.
He currently trains in Richmond, BC under coaches Keegan Murphy and Eileen Murphy, with
choreography by Joey Russell, Madison Hubbell and Adrian Diaz.
Liam began skating at age two and is known for combining athletic power with artistic
expression on the ice. Throughout his career, Liam has competed internationally at events
including Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, Skate America, Skate Canada and
the World Junior Figure Skating Championships. His notable results include winning the 2022
IceChallenge and the 2022 Philadelphia Summer International, placing sixth at the 2023 and
2026 U.S. Championships, and earning a top-10 finish at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic
Games.
In addition to competing, Liam is passionate about giving back to the sport through coaching.
He team coaches and mentors the next generation of skaters, sharing his technical
knowledge, competitive experience, and love for figure skating with developing athletes. He
values helping young skaters build confidence, discipline, and creativity both on and off the
ice.
When not training or coaching, Liam studies mechatronics systems engineering at Simon
Fraser University and hopes to pursue a career in aerospace engineering. Outside of skating,
he enjoys camping, hiking, skiing, photography, robotics, and rock climbing.

Jamie Bader

Taking New Students: Yes
About Jamie: Jamie has been a figure skater since age 11. She started right here at the Sportsplex and was inspired by the amazing coaches she learned from growing up. She has always loved gliding along the ice and the freedom she feels. Jamie began volunteering with the Learn to Skate Program at 14 and has been coaching since I was 16. 11 years later, she still wholeheartedly loves the sport and the joy it continues to bring others. She competed at National Showcase in 2014 and 2015, among other competitions regionally. Jamie also had the chance to participate in a Stars On Ice production at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle in 2015.
Outside of coaching, she enjoys creating programs and performing, and spending time outside with her two young kids.